1997 Chevrolet Astro: jerking or lurching

Filed Apr 27, 2004 · Fuel system, Transmission · 60,000 miles · TN

My van is a 1997 astro and it has some serious transmission problems after going 30-40 miles and stoping at a light it jerks real hard and feels like I was hit in the back I have took it 3 times to get fixed and it still does it the service ingine light comes on when it starts doing it no one seems to know wheat wrong they just keep takeing my money and telling me its fixed when its no if some one could tell me what the problem is I would be very happy the fuel pump went out 900.00$ the driver window motor went out the idler arms have had to be replaced brakes keep wearing down ...please some one contact me.

Filed Mar 7, 2003 · Acceleration · IN

The vehicle has a problem with developing a condition where the throttle pedal sticks. High pedal effort is required to over come this condition but this practice is unsafe because the result is a rapid acceleration or lurch when the pedal becomes unstuck . Problem is chronic as it has to be addressed at least annually by cleaning the internals of throttle body. The cleaning is successful in removing the problem initially, but the condition always recurs after about a year (10,000 miles) of driving. Although cleaning the throttle body on a regular basis is a recommended maintenance item.

Filed Feb 17, 2003 · Fuel system · 90,000 miles · CA

My wife was driving our 97 chevy astro van about 40mph when she attempted to stop. The van was not stopping so she pushed the brake pedal as hard as she could. Just as it was about to stop at the stop sign it lurched forward into the intersection. The van continued through the intersection at a high rate of speed (luckily there was no other cars coming). She tried to stop again now noticing that the engine was racing. She turned off the car and put it into park. We then had the van towed to the dealer we bought it at. They looked at it and said the fuel pressure regulator went out and was pouring raw fuel into the motor. It was occuring at such a high rate that it sucked a part of the throttle body into the motor. We still don't have our van back or do we know the extent of the damages (they have to pull the heads off to find the part that got sucked in). I am glad I am writing this just worrying about a few thousand dollars I am out and not telling you how my wife and two kids were killed. I calld general motors to complain and they made a case (#1-73278300) and said that if they got enough complaints this could turn into a recall at which time they would reimburse us. The service manager at the dealer said he has seen cases in which parts were sucke into the engine 3 or 4 times. My question is how many people need to get hurt or killed for gm to think this is a safety problem? My family got lucky in that they were just on a residential street, but as you can see it could have been much worse. Also I don't think I should have to be liable for my whole engine being in jeopardy from one relatively cheap part going bad. I am compaining about a potential deadly problem that I feel is a design flaw. How many others have experienced the same as my family or worse? How many people have to die for gm to recognise this serious problem?

Filed Feb 13, 2002 · Transmission · PA

After leaving a 4-lane interstate section of highway 19 in west virginia, and arriving onto a section with stoplights, the driver noticed a clunking noise while the transmission was shifting from 1st to 2nd. This occurred at multiple lights. During the occurence, the van would also lurch during the shift. We stopped at a rest area, and after allowing the van to sit for about 20 minutes, we restarted. The problem was not apparent when we left the rest area, but about 2 miles down the road, the "service engine" light came on. We drove to the nearest major city to find a dealer to look at the problem. Once we found an open dealer who could download the diagnostics, he informed us that the code indicated transmission slippage. He reset the code, and the van shifted fine. We continued to our destination without problems, and took the van to a dealer the following day. They studied the van, and determined that the valve body had failed, just out of warranty, of course. We spent $1100+ to have the valve body repaired.

Filed Jul 27, 2001 · Acceleration · MN

Driven van about 30 miles stopped and when we started to take off van lurched foreward with aloud bang only does this between 1st and 2nd gears. When transmission is cold does not do this only when hot.

Filed Jul 11, 2000 · Acceleration, Fuel system · OH

While traveling at highway speed of 60 MPH or more vehicle lurched forward twice. Also, fuel gauge moved from full to emtpy and continued to move back and forth. Vehicle taken to dealer, and informed consumer that the fuel tank sender unit has melted down, and could have started a fire in the tank.

Filed May 19, 2000 · Transmission · OH

After driving at highway speed and coming to a stop there is a loud bang and the vehicle jerks at the upshift from first to second gear. It feels as if the vehicle has been hit from behind. Check out by transmission shop indicates no problem.

Filed May 11, 2000 · Suspension, Transmission · TX

Vehicle has a "stop bump" or "drive line clunk" which is "corrected" by lubricating driveline slip yok and driveshaft every 2000 miles. This occurs when stopping and feels as if the car has been bumped from behind, causing it to lurch slightly forward. I've been told that it is not normal operation but can not be fixed. Also the alignment needs to be corrected every two months as it continually pulls to the right (an independent shop said the idler arms are bad). There are many squeaks, bumps and clunks coming from under the vehicle.

Filed Jan 7, 2000 · Brakes · MA · crash

The rubber brake cover slipped off the brake while consumer was depressing it causing consumer foot to hit the gas pedal, lurch forward and hit the vehicle in front of him.

Filed Aug 31, 1999 · Transmission · MO

After driving on the hwy for 30 min or longer, when coming to stop and proceeding, vehicle lurches forward giving the impression of being hit from behind.

Filed Nov 12, 1998 · Acceleration · OK

When driving the vehicle and taking off, pushed the accelerator it stopped with a kink in it, then pressed a little more, it lurched to get past that point. Dealer contacted and stated they will remedy the problem by spraying the thhrottle.

Filed Nov 10, 1998 · Acceleration · FL

When applying the gas pedal the vehicle lurched forward which may cause an accident. Took to dealer, told it was a normal maintenance problem that could be repaired at owner's expense. *ak